New Study Shows Moral Complexities of Abortion & Homosexuality

The complexity of abortion is larger than the labels “pro-life” or “pro-choice”. The Public Religion Research Institute is reports some new surprising finding about attitudes towards abortion and other moral issues. The study found that 70% Americans say the term “pro-choice” describes them somewhat or very well, and nearly 66% simultaneously say the term “pro-life” describes them somewhat or very well.

Do you see the overlap?

There is a perception among older generations that younger generations are often more progressive. The poll and study bucks that perception. About 46% of millennials believe abortion is morally acceptable. That is a large minority, however it is a smaller number compared to the study’s findings on the morality of homosexuality. The study found that 57% of millennials believe sex between two people of the same gender is morally acceptable.

The findings do not stop there. The complexities continue:

Approximately 3-in-10 Americans hold decidedly mixed views about the circumstances in which having an abortion should be possible. When measured on a composite scale of support for abortion in five specific circumstances, 43% say abortion should be possible in most or all of these circumstances, 29% say abortion should not be possible in most or all of these circumstances, and 28% hold decidedly mixed views.

Adding to the confusing metrics, nearly 6-in-10 (58%) Americans say that at least some health care professionals in their communities should provide legal abortions. A solid majority of Americans say abortion should be legal in all (19%) or most (37%) cases, compared to 4-­in-­10 who say it should be illegal in all (14%) or most (26%) cases.

The study went as so far to provide some predictors based on respondent data:

Having a situationalist rather than a principle-based approach to morality has a positive impact on support for the legality of abortion.

Knowing someone who has had an abortion has a positive impact on support for the legality of abortion.

Having seen MTV’s reality shows about unmarried pregnant teenagers has a positive impact on support for the legality of abortion.

Recently seeing an ultrasound image of a fetus has a negative impact on support for the legality of abortion.

Among Americans who attend church 1-2 types month, majorities report hearing their clergy talk about the issue of abortion (54%) or homosexuality (51%) in church. Catholics are significantly more likely than Protestants to hear about abortion in church. About 70% of religious Americans believe it is possible to disagree with the teachings of their religion on the issue of abortion and still be considered a person of good standing in their faith.

Analysis

Clergy and lay people alike need to know that these two top hot button issues are not binary in the eyes of the public. People do not fit into just two options on abortion. Likewise, people do not necessarily always answer to moral questions regarding homosexuality and abortion in the affirmative or negative together. In addition, not all Christians hold the same beliefs regarding these issues and therefore cannot be generalized.

In the coming president election, these two issues will be brought up again. However, you will see these complexities play out in more moderate or centrist candidates. We continue to be a religious society, but that “religiousness” looks different than 30 years ago. We will continue to struggle to reconcile American religious institutions stance on moral issues with our our culture’s own evolving beliefs.

4 Responses

Interesting!
on a side note, people who are “Pro-Choice” prefer that title to “pro-Abortion” because many feel that while it should be a legal right to chose abortion, and within certain parameters, they personally might not chose that route.

PRRI’s CEO, Dr. Jones, wrote two books: Progressive & Religious: How Christian, Jewish, Muslim, and Buddhist Leaders are Moving Beyond the Culture Wars and Transforming American Public Life and Liberalism’s Troubled Search for Equality.

“As a research organization, PRRI does not take positions on particular policies.”